Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

Theses courses are designed to help students express themselves clearly in written and spoken English through reading and discussing essays, oral presentations and written composition. A language skills workshop is provided for students who desire individual assistance. Each student must complete one of the following:

LB 111 (4 cr.) Modes of Discourse(Formerly CL 111)A study of traditional types of essay writing including argumentation, definition, and comparison and contrast. Emphasis is on organization of ideas and observations into coherent written form.

LB 111 (4 cr.) Modes of Discourse: Learning SkillsPrerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in LB 101.A study of the principles and practice of writing designated specifically for students who need practice in basic writing skills.

LB 119 (4 cr.) Modes of Discourse: Honors(Formerly CL 111H)A course in composition for students of exceptional ability. Emphasis on analysis, interpretation, and composition of essays and short stories including character portrayal and interaction, technique of description, and use of anecdote.

Advanced Discourse

These courses are designed to improve student’s expository ability and style through analysis and preparation of extended compositions and research papers, and through an intensive study of the concepts and elements of language. Each student is required to complete one of the following:

LB 211 (4 cr.) Language and CulturePrerequisite: LB 111 or LB 119.A study of the relationship between language and culture with particular emphasis on the origin and structure of the English language

LB 212 (4 cr.) Narration and DescriptionPrerequisite: LB 111 or LB 119.A study of elements of rhetoric including proportion, order, pacing, tone, diction and sentence structure. Students will study exemplary works and write themes, with particular attention to perception, order and expression.

LB 213 (4 cr.) Literature and ExpositionPrerequisite: LB 111 or LB 119.A study of expository writing stimulated through the analysis of particular literary types. Literature is used as a source and stimulant for written composition.

LB 214 (4 cr.) Scientific, Technical and Report WritingPrerequisite: LB 111 or LB 119.A study of written and library skills, needed by those who plan further study in scientific, technical, or business fields. The course proceeds from a review of the literary essentials of effective report writing to the analysis of selected models, and provides practice in the design, organization, composition and evaluation of different types of reports including outlines, abstracts, and more extensive forms.

LB 216 (4 cr.) Interpersonal CommunicationPrerequisite: LB 111 or LB 119.A study of communication theory designed to alert students to major problems in communicating with others and to enable them to improve communication skills. Considers ethical responsibilities of communicators and the role of speech communication in society

HS 200 (2 cr.) Historical Writing and Thinking(Formerly HS 101) Prerequisite: LB 111.Introduces the study of the past as a set of acquired skills and insights, and as a way of thinking and writing about evidence, interpretation, and explanation. Explores the difficulties inherent in man examining and writing about his own past, and asks basic questions about historical study as both a social science and an art.

Division II - Humanities

These courses focus on man as a unique creative being. They explore man’s intellectual, spiritual, ethnical and aesthetic concerns as revealed through the arts, literature, drama, philosophy, religion and historical works. Students are required to complete a minimum of 8 credit hours from all of the following divisional or departmental courses.

LB 125 (4 cr.) Music and Culture(Formerly MU 150) Not open to music majors.A study of the development of music in Western Culture. The major styles and periods are described and the relation of music to the other arts and to the social background of the time are developed.

LB 211 (4 cr.) Origins of Human Values(Formerly CL 211)A study of some significant intellectual, spiritual and cultural roots of Western Man as they originated and developed in the ancient world.

LB 222 (4 cr.) Man in the Medieval-Renaissance World(Formerly CL 212)A study of the cultural forces of the medieval-renaissance period which were influential in shaping the modern world.

LB 223 (4 cr.) Man's Search for Meaning in the Modern World(Formerly CL 112)A study of some contemporary cultural, social and technological forces which influence the modern world, and of man’s attempt to understand and cope with changes brought about by them.

LB 226 (4 cr.) Approaches to the HumanitiesA presentation of novel approaches to the Humanities, topic to be designated in the registration booklet.

LB 231 (4 cr.) The Black Experience(Formerly CL 291)An exploration of the black experience in America through literature, poetry, drama, music and he arts. Emphasis is placed on philosophical, psychological, religious and sociological aspects of black like and culture.

LB 232 (4 cr.) West Africa: African Traditions and European Colonization(Formerly CL 292)A study of West Africa with emphasis on its social and cultural system; European colonization; the rise of nationalist movements, and the concept of “negritude”; social and political revolution.

LB 233 (4 cr.) West Africa: Colonialism to IndependenceA study of the effects of the European colonization on West Africa; World War II, the Africanization of the colonies and political independence; the rise of neocolonialism and the social crises of the third world countries; future options; democracy, socialism, communism, Pan-Africanism.

LB 236 (4 cr.) The American IndianA study of the development of American Indian attitudes and culture with particular emphasis on the relation between the Indian, the land, and the white man.

LB 237 (4 cr.) European Civilization through LiteratureThis course offers an introduction to a particular European culture through a study of its literature. The course will be conducted entirely in English. There will be focus on a single culture in any given semester: French, German, Spanish, Russian, or Finnish. It does not give credit towards either of foreign language or an English major or minor.

LB 491 (4 cr.) Senior Seminar: HumanitiesPrerequisite: Senior StandingA study of a general topic designed to attract students from a variety of disciplines. Grades will be Honors (H), Satisfactory (S), and Unsatisfactory (U).

Division III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics

These courses explore the behavior and properties of matter, the organization of matter into physical, biological and ecological systems and man’s attempts to generalize and explain natural phenomena in terms of laws and theories. The courses describe the impact of science, mathematics and technology on human thought, culture and environment. Students must obtain a minimum of 8 credits from any of the divisional or departmental courses. At least one of the courses must offer regular laboratory work

LB 141 (4cr.) Biology and Man(Formerly CL 122)A study of fundamental concepts of biology that relate to problems confronting individuals and society. Topics include methods and limitations of science; man’s dependence on other organisms; problems related to food production, human reproduction, inheritance, and disease; biological implications of modern technology; and biological problems likely to confront society in the future. One laboratory meeting per week.

LB 141A (4cr.) Biology and Man: Auto-Tutorial Approach(Formerly CL 122AA study of the basic concepts of biological science including scientific methodology, ecology, dynamic equilibrium, genetics, evolution, energy, biogeochemical cycles, and reproduction. Instruction is based on an auto-tutorial; self paced approach with a minimum of five arranged hours per week. Individual assistance and consultation with instructors is provided.

LB 142 (4 cr.) Man's Environment: Chemical and Physical Aspects(Formerly CL 121E)A study of the physical and chemical interactions in man’s environment. Basic chemical methods are introduced and natural chemical cycles in the biosphere are studied. Various forms of environmental degradation are investigated on a case-study basis. One laboratory meeting per week.

LB 143 (4 cr.) Concepts of our Physical Universe(Formerly CL 121)A study of major concepts and phenomena of the physical universe with emphasis on their technological and environmental applications, historical development, and social implications. Aspects of the unified philosophical view of the universe encompassing the nature of atoms, 4-dimensional space, and stars are presented. One laboratory meeting per week.

LB 144 (4 cr.) Science and Experiment(Formerly CL 124)A laboratory-centered course providing experience in observation, basic operations, analysis and generalization of experimental data, and correlation of concepts and facts. The central theme is based on a study of matter, which begins, with an examination of selected properties leading systematically to atomic models. Three one hour lab meetings per week.

LB 145 (4 cr.) Contemporary AstronomyA study of current views of our solar system, galaxies, and universe with emphasis on observational information and current models. One laboratory meeting per week.

LB 146 (4 cr.) Approaches to the Natural Sciences (Formerly CL 124)A presentation of novel approaches to the study of the natural sciences. One laboratory meeting per week. Topic to be designated in the registration booklet.

LB 151 (4 cr.) Computers and Society(Formerly CL 124C)A study of the principles of mechanical computation, computer logic and programming, and of applications I science and commerce. Includes student investigations of the role computers in various aspects of modern life. One laboratory meeting per week.

LB 152 (4 cr.) Mathematics and CultureA study of the development and cultural impact of modern mathematical ideas such as computers, game theory, and data interpretation. Emphasis will be placed on mathematics as a manifestation of humanity’s creative achievements.

LB 492 (4 cr.) Senior Seminar: Natural Science/MathematicsPrerequisite: Senior standing.A study of general topic designed to attract students from a variety of disciplines. The topic will be listed in the registration booklet. Grading will be Honors (H), Satisfactory (S), and Unsatisfactory (U).

Division IV - Social Sciences

These courses explore the structure and dynamics of some of man’s most important social institutions with particular emphasis on important contemporary problems such as urbanization, poverty, race, war, crime, drugs and pollution. Students must obtain a total of eight credits from any of the following division or departmental courses.

LB 161 (4 cr.) Social Economics(Formerly CL 133) Equivalent to EC 101.A study of contemporary economic issues such as economic justice and public order, income maintenance and poverty, war, peace and economic and political freedom.

LB 162 (4 cr.) Man and Politics(Formerly CL 134) Counts toward major or minor in Political Science.A study of politics including an overview of contemporary political-moral values and an assessment of political behavior and policies

LB 162B (4 cr.) Man and Politics: Behavioral ApproachA study of politics including an overview of contemporary political values. Students are familiarizes with basic data processing techniques and do empirical research on a topic of current political interest.

LB 163 (4 cr.) American Society(Formerly CL 138) Satisfies prerequisite for sociology courses calling SO 101 and counts toward major or minor in Sociology.A study of American cultural values and attitudes, with emphasis on concepts of roles and status, social stratification, group interaction, and social organization. Social institutions and problems including the family, religion, education, population, racial discrimination, poverty, crime and drugs are covered.

LB 164 (4 cr.) Cultural Geography(Formerly CL 139)An examination of the cultural conditions under which man perceives, occupies, and uses his habitat. The course develops a way of thinking about man’s interaction with his environment.

LB 165 (4 cr.) Man in Culture and NatureA study of the relationship of man to society, culture and environment. The elements of socio-cultural systems of various types, tribal and modern are compared. Broad trends and relationships are stresses rather than detailed study of particulars and the course utilizes knowledge from biology, social science, psychology and ecology.

LB 171 (4 cr.) Problems in Contemporary America(Formerly CL 132)A study of economic, geographical, political and social aspects of contemporary American problems. Topic to be designated in the registration booklet.

LB 172 (4 cr.) Problems of the Contemporary World(Formerly CL 131)A study of economic geographical, political and social problems in a particular world region. Topic to be designated in the registration booklet.

LB 173 (4 cr.) Problems in Contemporary Soviet Union(Formerly CL 131S)A study of factors which contribute to an understanding of the role of the USSR in contemporary world affairs including recent history, government, society, culture, economy and geography.

LB 493 (4 cr.) Senior Seminar: Social SciencesPrerequisite: Senior standing.A study of a general topic designed to attract students from a variety of disciplines. The topic to be listed in the registration booklet. Grading will be Honors (H), Satisfactory (S), and Unsatisfactory (U).